NOAA AWARDS $1.8 MILLION TO NORTH CAROLINA
FOR BLUE CRAB ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today awarded a grant totaling more than $1.8 million to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The funds will provide economic relief to the North Carolina blue crab industry feeling the effects of recent crab population declines and reduced harvests and sales. NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce.

The grant will fund a project to provide direct financial assistance to qualified blue crab fishermen and the blue crab industry in North Carolina. The funds will also be used to develop and implement marketing and promotion programs for blue crab.

“We are constantly working to strengthen local fisheries initiatives like North Carolina’s blue crab economic assistance program,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This grant will help support and sustain a portion of North Carolina’s fishing industry and reinforce NOAA’s and the Bush Administration’s commitment to fishing community.”

In fiscal year 2003, NOAA has awarded more than 475 grants totaling more than $204 million to members of the academic, scientific and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems in order to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property, and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 33 years.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

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